Joel Embiid opted to play for Workforce USA over France at this yr’s Olympics and plenty of French followers are nonetheless upset about it.
Embiid obtained a frosty reception from the Paris crowd in Workforce USA’s Olympic opener towards Serbia on Sunday, with the followers booing him each time he touched the ball.
Embiid had the choice to play for France after the nation granted him naturalized citizenship standing in 2022, regardless of by no means residing there.
The Philadelphia 76ers star was born in Cameroon and moved to america when he was 16 years previous. He has since develop into a U.S. citizen.
“I’m actually proud and enthusiastic about this resolution,” Embiid wrote on Twitter final October in a submit confirming he would play for Workforce USA on the Paris Olympics. “It was not simple. I’m blessed to name Cameroon, France, and the USA dwelling. After speaking to my household, I knew it needed to be Workforce USA.
“I need to play with my brothers within the league. I need to play for my followers as a result of they’ve been unbelievable because the day I got here right here. However most of all, I need to honor my son who was born within the US. I would like my boy to know I performed my first Olympics for him.”
Embiid additionally had the choice of enjoying for Cameroon however the group was eradicated early within the qualifiers.
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